State Offices Will be Closed on Friday After Thanksgiving; Gov. Nixon Cites Continued Improvement in the Economy, Leading to Stronger State Budget Outlook

Press Release

Citing the stronger state budget outlook because of the continued improving Missouri economy, Gov. Jay Nixon today issued an executive order closing state offices on Nov. 23, the day after Thanksgiving.

The State Budget Office earlier today issued its monthly revenue report, showing receipts for the fiscal year up by 7.5 percent from last year.

"Today's news about the state budget reflects the gains our state's economy continues to make, and also provides more certainty for this fiscal year," Gov. Nixon said. "As a result, I am pleased to be able to provide our hard-working state employees with the day off on the Friday after Thanksgiving. Obviously, public safety and other around-the-clock services and facilities will continue their normal operations.

"We have implemented several effective long-term, cost-saving measures in state government, including a 14 percent reduction in energy use this year alone, a 420,000 square-foot reduction in leased space, and a tremendous increase in state services available online," the Governor said. "Those steps have led to greater efficiencies in the operation of Missouri state government, without sacrificing vital services, as other states have been forced to do."

In 2009, Gov. Nixon signed an executive order closing state offices on the Friday after Thanksgiving, a day when, typically, offices have been closed in years past. Because of budget challenges in 2010 and 2011, state offices remained opened those years on the day after Thanksgiving to achieve savings to the budget.